Dec 19, 2012

Comments

You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

well, that was informative. and not a bad place to start, as the author states.

we just need to be sure that dealers are held to a higher level of responsibility when selling, and the status of gun licenses are constantly being updates based on feedback on the licensee (after a stricter licensing process to begin with).

The "primer" mentioned at the top actually starts out ok, but rapidly shows its bias. It then confuses some numbers, tosses around generalizations, and makes assumptions. It finishes with: here's what we should do.
That ain't a primer.

The suggestions at Kos seem rooted in common sense. They don't argue for banning all semi-automatic guns. They do argue for banning armor piercing ammunition. (Do deer wear bullet-proof armor?)

I'm curious about the legal environment gun manufacturers operate in? Are they required to report the number and model of weapons they make, and who they sold them to? If so, how is that requirement enforced and policed? Is it possible for a gun maker to say it made X guns in a year when it really made X-plus guns, with the additional products sold informally away from prying eyes?

There is such a demand for guns in this country, and such a fanaticism surrounding them, that any attempt to control their numbers will need to deal with sub rosa manufacturing and selling.

Interesting questions Corbs. I'll bet area economists have a trove of stats available, but I found this for starters:

As of 2011, there are approximately 5,400 licensed firearms manufacturers and 950 licensed importers in the United States. A Federal firearms license is required to engage in the business of manufacturing, importing, or dealing in firearms. These businesses are required by law to maintain records of the production, exportation, importation, acquisition, and disposition of firearms.

"'It was exactly like playing Duck Hunt. It didn't move, no kickback. It was this bizarre combination of being the deadliest thing I've ever held, and it also being the most similar to holding a plastic video game gun. It was easy to totally divorce myself from that gun; you can't do that with something like a shotgun. It requires too much physical interaction on your part.'"

"These businesses are required by law to maintain records of the production, exportation, importation, acquisition, and disposition of firearms."

UNLESS the firearm is acquired at one of the thousands of gun shows through that notorious loophole, i.e.about 40% of all sales. Or UNLESS it's acquired through the Internet. And who knows how many now go through that route.

In both cases, we basically have NO idea who the end user is, only that this anonymous individual has suddenly become capable of a hideously effective assault on his fellow citizens should that notion sway his behavior for whatever "reason" or descent into madness.

I believe those looking to regulate may be facing a problem
much larger than currently perceived.

The military style semi automatics can be purchased in parts,
meaning a seller won't be selling a gun, but a stock or barrel etc...

The firearm may not be a firearm until assembled.

If some believe many dealers already don't do a significant portion of business
tax free,
then they are mistaken.

Let's be cognizant of what the facts are
before proposals are forwarded that could cause unintended consequences.

The "War on Drugs" didn't work out very well.

How would a "War on Rednecks etc..." work out
considering the facts on the ground
not as we wished they were, but as they are?

One early first reaction would be a much larger and organized black market
than at present, by creating artificial scarcity
created by demand that may have been absent
before the defined threat of prohibition.

What are Canada and Mexico's laws
and how could that play out at the borders?

Sorry next group of innocents, there is nothing we can do. Your blood must be shed, must be sacrificed on the altar of our freedoms and incapacities to do the right thing for you because it's so darned complicated you see.